Gun mechanism



H. SCHIROKAUER GUN MECHANISM June 12, i945.

3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb`. 12, 1942 ill muws f Q; s N e s1 June l2, 1945. H. scH|RoKAUER GUN MECHANISM Filed Feb. 12. 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 woe/wf wn/ry @Chiro-Mauer,

Ill l June 12, 1945. H. s'cHlRoKAuER GUN MEcr-IANISM Filed Feb. 12. 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 wm J NM.

QH @MH mw Patented June 12, 1945 2,378,331 '.GUN.MECHANISMv "=Henry SchirokauenNew York, N. Y.,'rassignor1to Schirgun. Corporation; a corporation .',of.:-Dcla Ware Application February 12, 1942, SeralNo. 430,653 i i 41() Claims.

Theinvention vrelates to guns, but vphases of the invention are not conned to any particular Attm-1.0i, gun. The improvements to be explained .maynd a special importance in a machine gun of; the automatic, semi-automatic or self-loading and .operating type. Such a gun may comprise in general a .gun barrel with which is associated the receiver or cartridge chamber and cartridge feed- Ving and :firing mechanism.

Y The present invention contemplates improvements especially in the cartridge extracting, feed ing and ring mechanisms.

. Cartridges may be delivered to the gun at the proper point in any suitable way, such, lfor instance, as by `means of a cartridge belt. The .mechanism for extracting the cartridge from the belt or other feeding device and for delivering it to the breech of the gun is the subject. of .one phase of the present improvements. In order to do' the work properly it is essential that a portion of the reciprocating mechanism of the gun grasp a cartridge with suicient assurance toalways extract a cartridge from the belt and pass it on to the gun. To this end the present invention'contemplates a special mechanism in the extractor itself which will surely grasp and move the cartridge. With this may be associated ycartridge grasping mechanism carried by the reciprocating member which operates the breech block or firing mechanism. This latter mechanism may beso arranged that the cartridge is released from `it as'the cartridge is moved into position to be 4placed in the breech block or barrel of the gun. Suchen arrangement may afford anextra vgrip on the Ycartridge kwhile it is being extracted at which Itime it may need a special tension. K 1 i1-reciprocating portion of the gun may operiate ythe breech blockand the lfiringv p-in.` With this may be associated mechanism for locking the breech block in positionv while the cartridge vis fired. vPreferably there will be aloose'movement connection between the reciprocating portion of the gun and the breech block and its lock. Thus Vt-lrie breech block may be placed in position at 'the-'end-'of the barrel at which timethe lockmay yloe-'put in position. vThe'lockiner mechanism may be so'i'ormed vand arranged that if the breech 'block' is notsnugly againstits seat further and final movement `of the reciprocating part of the gun may forcethe lock into position to hold the breech :block snugly -intof position. The loose movement between "the reciprocating portion of vthe gun and the breech block and lock maymake it possible to retract the lock from locking position .and so release the breech block and; then .move both the-,.lock. andthe .breech block away from .thevbarrel.v In one form the .invention .may contemplate acam slot .as a partei ktheloose movements@ vthatthe .lockingv mechanism may be positively.liftedor-depressed by the movement ofthe reciprocating part of .the gun.

Theinven-tion vmayfbe incorporated invarious specic ,structuresand is .not confined Vtospecific details. .Without limiting .the invention specific apparatus, embodying ,the .invention is disclosed intheaccompanying drawings and will .be .spe- .cin-cally described so as to .further-.andfully explain the invention. In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical section through a. .gun

showing a ,gunwith the breech blockandassociated-me'chanism .in firing position., Fig. 2 is a fragmentary `-verticalsection.Y through a gun showing` the Ybreechblock of Fig. land associated mechanism, inretracted position. Fig. Bis a fragmentary vertical transverse section on. the lines 3-`-3of'1i ig, 2. Fig. .4 is a fragmentary ,1ongitudirial Vvertical section through a gunembodying another form of the invention showing the new formof breech block and associated mechanismin ring position. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary verticalsection through a gun showing the breech kblock of Fig. 4in retracted position. Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical sectionon the line 6-'-6 of Fig. 5. Fig 7 is a `fragmentary side elevation Jof mechanism vfor grasping and extracting the cartridge.I Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical section on the lineA 8-8 ,of Fig. ,'7. Fig. 9 is a transverse vertical section on the ,line 9-9 of Fig. 1, showing ,diagrammatically onemeans ofA delivering cartridgesito the .feeding mechanism. Fig;'10 is a transverse vertical section Von the line 'IG-40 of Fig. 4.

In general gun constructionv and operation `vis well known so that it will be necessary only to describe those portions of the mechanism and their operation which are .new and form a portion ofthe present invention. One specic form of vgun -to which-the present invention is adapted isset out and described fully in my co-pending application vSer.'No. 412,168'Patent No. 2.353,118. -Ihere is---shownV diagrammatically in Fig. l a muzzle end' 2li which receives and conducts the -gasesnf explosicn'so as to operate upon a piston 2l 4which in turn'reciprocates a rod 22. Mount edk on. therod 22 toreciprocate therewithand turn Athereon is a conveyor 23 whose function is to extract .cartridges .from the feeding mechanism 24 and deliver them to the retracted breech block 25 in positionto be placedin firing position in the barrel 23 ofthe gun. Also mounted on the rod 22 and reciprocating therewith is a supporting block 21 for the breech block 25. It will be understood that the rod 22 and mechanism mounted on it may be caused to move toward the right in Figs. 1 and 4 by pressure on the piston 2|. Such movement may be against a spring (not shown) which will move the rod toward the left of Figs. 1 and 4 in a manner known in the art; see applicants Patent No. 2,353,118.

The means for reciprocating the rod 22 forms no part of the present invention. The rod mat7 be retracted by any suitable means and may be forced forward by any suitable means. It may be desirable to arrange the retraction by hand and this may be especially desirable in initiating the operation of the gun.

The forward movement of the rod 22 may take place only after the ring mechanism is released by means of a trigger or the like (not shOwn) or the operation may be automatically repeated as long as the gun continues to re. Carried by the conveyor 23'is a depending arm 28 provided at its end with a gripping jaw 29 which in the position indicated in Figs. 8 and 9 engages a cartridge X which has been introduced through the feeding mechanism 24. Opposite the jaw 29 is an ejector rod or lever 3U pivoted at 3| on the arm 28 and normally held by the spring 32 in position to engage the cartridge X and hold it between the ejector 3U and the jaw 29. Cooperating with this structure is a spring jaw or latch 33 carried by the supporting block 21 on a member 34. In the position indicated in Figs. 1, 4, 1 and 8 the spring jaw 33 engages the butt of the cartridge X and thus when the rod 22 is reciprocated toward the right on Figs. 1 and 4 the tension of the members 29, 3E! and 33 on the cartridge assures that it will be withdrawn from the feeding mechanism 24 which may, of course, include any type of cartridge belt or the like. This construction insures a steady and sure grip on the cartridge as it is being extracted. The movement.

of the rod 22 toward the right in Fig. 1 for instance thus will move and hold the cartridge.

At the same time as the rod 22 moves in the retraoting direction it will move the supporting block 21, which is fastened to the rod 22. The supporting block 21 has a depending arm 35 which carries a transverse pin 36 on which is mounted to rotate a locking lever 31. The ends of the pin 36 extend into slots 38 in backwardly extending arms 39 of the breech block 25. It will be noted that the arms 39 form an aperture between them, in which is the supporting block 21 and the locking lever 31. It will be noted that in the position of Fig. 1 the end of the locking lever 31 extends downward through an opening 40 in the frame 4I of the gun. The rear edge of the arm 31 engages the corner 42 of the frame 4I and tends to lock the breech block 25 snugly against the end of the barrel 23, It will be noted that the entire space between the end of the barrel 26 and the corner 42 of the frame is lled by the breech block and the locking lever 31 in contact with it. As the rod 22 retracts toward the right in Fig. 1 the pin 36 is forced rearward causing the locking lever 31 to turn on the pin 36 and about the corner of the frame 42 as a pivot point. This causes the end of the locking lever 31 to be lifted from the hole 40. In the meantime the pin 33 slides in the slot 38, and as it approaches the end of the slot 38 the locking lever 31 has been entirely withdrawn from the hole 40 and further movement of the supporting block 21 causes the pin 36 to engage the rear end of the slots 38 and so move the breech block 25 to the rear end of the gun as indicated in Fig. 2. Suitable means are provided for causing the conveyor 23 to rotate as the rod 22 causes it to move rearwardly, The means for causing this reciprocation and rotation are w'ell known but by way of example there is illustrated a pin 43 on the conveyor 23 which rides in a suitably formed slot 44 in the gun frame to cause the proper rotation at the proper time. It will be noted that the breech block 25 is provided in its face with transverse grooves 45 to engage and hold the butt of the cartridge. Thus when the exploded cartridge has been withdrawn from the barrel and brought back to the rear of the gun as indicated in Fig. 2, rotary movement of the conveyor 23 will cause the ejector 30 to engage the spent cartridge and eject it through an opening 46 in the frame of the gun. At the same time the jaw 23 on the arm 28 forces the new cartridge into position in the breech block 25. It will be noted that although the conveyor 23 rotates the supporting block 21 does not rotate. 'I'hus the rotation of the arm 28 frees the cartridge from the spring jaw 33 so that it can be introduced into the breech block. As the conveyor 23 moves forward it is rotated, in the clockwise direction with Fig. 6, to withdraw the jaw 29 from the cartridge. During this movement the ejector 3U turns on its pivot 3| against the spring 32 and rides over the cartridge X and the mechanism then returns to grasp another cartridge in the feeding'mechanism 24. As the rod 22 goes forfward it carries with it thersupporting block 21 and the pin 36 acting through the locking lever 31 forces the breech block 25 carrying the cartridgeX forward. Thus the cartridge is placed in position in the barrel 26 and the breech block is locked by the depressing or dropping of the lower end of the locking lever 31. As it reaches its nal Closed position the cartridge is exploded by means of a ring pin 41 carried by the depending arrn 35 of the supporting block 21 in position to enter a suitable opening provided and properly arranged in the breech block 25. `The gas of the explosion of the cartridge' may initiate another series of operations as described.

Inexact tting, which may be brought about by repeated use and wear of the parts may cause the breech block 25 to sta-nd back somewhat from the end of the gun barrel 26, thus allowing head space which may cause disastrous eiects when the cartridge is exploded. In order to avoid such trouble there is provided what may be referred to as a self-adjusting head space. Means are provided for causing the breech block 25 to always closely and snugly engage the end of the gun barrel and to lock it in such position. The depending arm 35 of the supporting block 21 is constructed and arranged to leave a slight space 48 between it and the back face of the breech block 25. Thus when the breech block 25 has reached its seat against the end of the gun barrel 26 there is always room for further forward movement of the supporting block 21. The surface 49 of the locking lever 31 'which engages the breechy block 25 is made curved, the curvature being on a center 50 which is indicated in Fig. l as located on the locking lever 31 slightly above the contact point 42. Thus movement of the supporting block 21 tending to close the opening 48 will tend to move the center 50 forward about the point 42 as a fulcrum and so advance the curved contact surface 49. Thus, in spite of where the locking lever 3l is positioned it will tend always to take a position which will take up wear or head space and tightly lock the breech block 25 in position during ring.

An alternative means for locking the breech block during firing is illustrated in Figs. 4, and l0. The depending arm 35 of the supporting block 27 is provided with a pin 5| which engages cam slots 52 in a locking block 53 which is pivoted at 54 to the breech block In the firing position illustrated in Fig. 4 therear end of the locking block 53 enters an opening 55 in the frame 4l and engages its rear wall thus holding the breech block 25 in contact with the end of the barrel 26. As therod 22 moves rearwardly the pin 5l slides in the cam slot 52 and at the rear end of the cam slot 52 it lifts the locking block. 53 entirely out of its locking position. Further rearward movement of the supporting block 2l causesl the pin 5l to bear on the rearward end of the slots 52 to pull the breech block to the rear of the gun as indicated in Fig. 5. In this position the spent cartridge may be ejected and a new cartridge delivered by suitablemechanism described. Forward movement ofthe supporting block 21 causes the pin 5I to bear against the locking block 53 and so force forward the breech block. This movement continues until the breech block reaches its seat When the locking block 53 is free to fall or is forced by pressure of the pin 5l in the slot 52 into the opening 55 and thus allow the pin 5| to move forward in the slots 52 to hold the lock 53 in place and so keep the breech block 25 closed during ring.

The pin 36 cooperating with the slot 38 and the pin 5I cooperating with the slot 52 provide'a lost motion connection between the reciprocating rod 22 and the breech block 25.l

The invention is not confined to the specic structures shown and may be embodied in devices of other forms, shapes, sizes, proportions and materials.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a gun, a breechV block having slots therein, a reciprocable rod mounted in the gun frame, a supporting block on the rod, a pin in the supporting block engaging the slots, and a` lever pivoted on the pin constructed and arranged to lock the breech block at one end of the reciprocation of the rod.

2. In a gun, a frame having an aperture therein, a breech block having slots therein, a reciprocable rod mounted in the gun frame, a supporting block on the rod, a pin in the supporting block engaging the slots, and a lever pivoted on the pin constructed and arranged to enter the apertureV and lock the breech block at one end of the reciprocation of the rod.

3. In a gun, a frame having an aperture therein, a breech block, areciprocable rod mounted in the gun frame, a supporting block on the rod, a lost motion connection between the supporting block and breech block, and a lever pivotally supported on the supporting block and constructed' and arranged to enter the aperture and lock the breech block.

4. In a gun, a frame having an aperture therein, a breech block, a reciprocable rod mounted in the gun frame, a supporting block on the rod, a lost motion connection between the suppr'ing block and breech block, a lever pivotally supported on the supporting block and constructed and arranged to enter the aperture, and a curved surface on the lever constructed and arranged to engage and lock the breech block while the lever engages one wall of the aperture.

5. In a gun, a frame having an aperture therein, a breech block, a reciprocable rod mounted in the gun Irame, a supporting block on the rod, a lost motion connection between the supporting block and breech block, a lever pivotally supported on the supporting block and constructed and arranged to enter the aperture, and a curved surface on the lever constructed and arranged to engage and lock the breech block while the lever engages one wall of the aperture, the center of curvature of the curved surface being between ,the pivot of the lever and its point of contact with` t'ne wall of the aperture.

6. In a gun, a frame having an aperture therein, a breech block having slots therein, a reciprocable rod mounted in the gun frame, a supporting block on 'the rod, a pin in the supporting block engaging the slots, a lever pivoted on the pin and constructed and arranged to enter the aperture, and a curved surface on lthe lever constructed and arranged to engage and lock the breech 'block while the lever engages one wall of the aperture.

'7. In a gun, a frame having an aperture therein, a breech block having slots therein, a reciprocable rod mounted in the gun frame, a supporting block on the rod, a pin in the supporting blocs engaging the slots, a lever pivoted on the p1n and constructed and arranged to -enter the aperture, and a. curved surrace on the lever constructed and arranged to engage and lock the breech block while the lever engages one wall oi' the aperture,

the center of curvature oi the curved suriace be-` ing between the pivot of the lever and its point oi' contact with the wall of the aperture. j

8. In a gun, a frame having an aperture therein, a breech block, a reciprocable rod mounted in the gun frame, a supporting blo-ck on the rod, a lost motn connection between the supporting block and breech block, a lever pivotally supported on the supporting block and constructed and arranged to enter the aperture, and a curved surface on the lever constructed and arranged to engage and lock the breech block while the lever engages one wall of the aperture so arranged that the position of the lost motion connection with respect to the point of contact of the lever with the Wall determines the position of the breech block.

9. In a gun, a frame having an aperture therein, a breech block, rearwardly extending arms on the breechblock having slots in them, a reciprrocable rod mounted in gun frame, a supporting block on the rod between the arms, a pin in the supporting block engaging the slots, lever arms pivoted on the pin betweenthe supporting block and the arms of the breech block, a bar connecting the lever arms resting in they aperture in the forward position of the rod and holding the lever arms against the breech block and locking it in position.

10. In a gun a frame having an aperture therein, a breech block having an aperture therein, a reciprocable rod mounted in the gun frame, a supporting block on the rod extending into Ithe aperture in the breech block constructed and arranged to engage the breech block and move it, and a lever pivoted on the supporting block constructed and arranged to enter the aperture in 

